The short answer
The Leonardo AW139 is our VIP flagship: a twin-engine helicopter with eight seats in an executive layout and the largest cabin in our fleet. It suits boards, delegations and clients who want the most space and baggage room. It needs a larger landing site than the smaller types, so we check the venue before we propose it.
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At a glance
- Passengers
- Eight in our executive layout
- Engines
- Two (twin-engine): Pratt and Whitney PT6C-67C turboshafts, with FADEC
- Cabin
- The largest in our fleet; roomy but not stand-up, about 1.42 m headroom
- Maximum cruise speed
- About 165 knots, according to Leonardo
- Luggage
- Soft bags; the most room of the five aircraft
- Best for
- Boards, delegations, longer legs and comfort on the day
Who is the AW139 for?
AW139 helicopter charter is for parties of five to eight who want one aircraft rather than two, and for anyone who values cabin and baggage room above reaching the very smallest site. It is the natural choice for a board or delegation travelling together, a leadership team heading to an away-day or conference, and a client party going to a race meeting or a match. As our VIP flagship, it is the one we offer first when the occasion matters.
It is also a good choice when you want margin. A large twin carries its passengers and fuel with room to spare, which helps on a long leg, in warm weather or with heavy baggage. For a smaller party a lighter aircraft is often quicker to arrange and a better match to the site, and we will say so honestly. Compare the Agusta 109 Grand for six, or the Airbus H145 D3, also eight seats.
How many people and bags does it take?
We offer the AW139 with eight passengers in an executive layout. Leonardo publishes a capacity of up to 15 for the type, but that is a dense layout for offshore and utility work and not what you would expect for a business journey. Eight is the sensible figure for comfort and bags.
The cabin is the largest in our fleet and generous in width and length, but it is still a helicopter cabin with about 1.42 m of headroom, so you step in and sit rather than stand. Luggage goes in soft bags, which can be stowed in the hold and cabin where hard cases would not fit. Give us weights for the passengers and the bags: with a full load of eight plus luggage, the total decides how much fuel can be carried and so how far we can fly without a stop.
How fast and how far does the AW139 fly?
Leonardo publishes a maximum cruise speed of about 165 knots, and a maximum range of about 641 nautical miles with an auxiliary fuel tank and no reserves. Those are manufacturer maximums in good conditions, not what we plan around. For timings on our site we use one standard planning figure for every type, so a flight such as Birmingham to London typically takes about 40 to 50 minutes. Wind, routing and air traffic control decide the actual time, and we give you a final figure with the quote.
The practical point is that the AW139 can fly longer legs with a full load than the smaller aircraft. If your trip is Edinburgh to Manchester or London to Newcastle, it is a strong candidate. See Manchester to Edinburgh by helicopter and London to Newcastle by helicopter for the timings.
Twin-engine, over water and at night: what can the AW139 do?
It is a twin-engine helicopter, which means it can continue to fly with one engine out and is permitted to operate over towns and open water where a single-engine aircraft often is not. Leonardo describes it as an all-weather helicopter, with ice protection available as an option, and it is widely used for offshore flights. Night and instrument flight depend on how the individual aircraft is equipped and approved, and on the crew and landing site. We confirm that before you book and never assume it.
None of this overrides the weather. Low cloud, poor visibility or high winds can stop any helicopter. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.
Where can an AW139 land?
It is a big aircraft with a large rotor, so it needs a larger area than the smaller types. Licensed airfields and airports are the easy answer, and the large heliports and most racecourse helipads are used regularly. A lawn at a hotel or country house may not be big or firm enough, and landing there is always subject to landing permission and site suitability.
Examples that suit it include Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Birmingham and Manchester airports, and event sites such as Silverstone. Our UK heliports and airfields directory shows what each site offers.
What do clients use the AW139 for?
Typical uses include a leadership team moving between two offices on one day, a client party to a race meeting such as Ascot or horse racing by helicopter in general, a delegation travelling to a conference, and flights where the group wants to arrive together and work on the way. For secure movements, the space and the twin engines give planners flexibility: read about secure helicopter transport.
Many clients pair the flight with a car at each end. Our sister company Executive Global Travel can arrange a chauffeur to meet the aircraft, so the whole party moves from helipad to destination without waiting.
Compare with the other aircraft
Airbus H145 D3
8 seats · twin engineRoomy and dependable for larger groups and overseas clients.
View the H145 D3 →
Agusta 109 Grand
6 seats · twin engineQuick and refined, suited to client trips and flights to Paris.
View the 109 Grand →
AS355 Twin Squirrel
5 seats · twin engineThe practical five-seater, with good room for bags.
View the AS355 →
Sikorsky S-76
Twin engine · on requestA large-cabin twin-engine helicopter, available on request.
View the S-76 →Frequently asked questions
How many passengers does the AW139 carry?
Eight in our executive layout. Leonardo publishes up to 15 for the type, but that is a dense layout used for offshore and utility work.
How much headroom does the AW139 cabin have?
About 1.42 m, so you sit down on entering. The cabin is the largest in our fleet, wide and bright rather than tall.
Is the AW139 twin-engine?
Yes. It has two Pratt and Whitney PT6C-67C turboshaft engines with full-authority digital control, like every aircraft in our fleet.
How fast is an AW139?
Leonardo gives a maximum cruise speed of about 165 knots. On our timings pages we use a standard planning figure that is the same for every type, so the times you read are typical, not a promise.
Can the AW139 land at a hotel or private estate?
Sometimes, but it needs a bigger and firmer area than the smaller types. Landing is subject to landing permission and site suitability, and we check first.
Can the AW139 fly at night or over water?
As a twin it is allowed to operate over water and built-up areas where a single-engine helicopter often is not. Night flying depends on the aircraft equipment, the crew and the landing site, and we confirm it before you book.
AW139 or H145 D3: which should I choose?
Both carry eight. The AW139 is our VIP flagship with the largest cabin; the H145 D3 is roomy and dependable and suits larger groups and overseas clients. We choose by weights, route and landing site.
